Taijiquan (Tai Chi/Tai Chi Chuan, depending on the translation method used) is one of the three main forms of neijia (internal martial arts) and the second oldest of the three. Internal martial arts rely on correct body mechanics/structure to overcome an opponent rather than brute strength or force like external martial arts. Both styles of training seek reach the same place and neither method is superior to the other, just different. Internal styles do have an advantage in the sense that they can continue to be seriously trained in old age and smaller, physically weaker or less athletic individuals can still reach a high level of competency with dedication to training. At advanced levels many so called external arts are trained in a way that could be considered internal training. The best example is boxing while on the outside it looks very external most good boxers rely on body mechanics and structure as opposed to brute force. There is a saying in the Taiji classics which states that one must not allow the duifeng (opponent) to get more than 4 ounces of force on them and must not used more than 4 ounces of force to overcome the duifeng.

Yang Luchan founder of Yang Style Taijiquan

One of the most common traits of Taijiquan is the slow performance of the form compared to many martial arts like Shaolin schools. The primary reason for the slow practice of the form is that the slower you go easier it is to break movements down into components and correct things like structure and body mechanics. Slow practice provides much more leg strength and conditioning which is essential for proper power generation and absorption. Any school that trains real Taijiquan will practice the form at a slow meditative speed but will also practice sequences or the entire form at full speed and power as one would in a combative situation. Generally the slower one can go while maintaining correct flow, body mechanics and focus is a sign of a higher level practitioner.

Most of what is presented today as Taijiquan is to put it bluntly hand waving or yoga for the elderly and has as much in common with Taiji as dancing. Regardless of a partitioners reason for taking up Taijiquan, Taijiquan is a martial art first and foremost and should be treated as such. It is said in the classics that one must understand both the civil and martial aspects of the art and have a balance between the two in order to truly master the art. There are health benefits associated with regular Taijiquan practice however these can only be achieved through correct training, when doing the forms an arm movement cab be a strike, a deflection or both in order to perform the form correctly one must understand the martial applications for each movement.

Yangjia Michuan Taijiquan

Yang Taijiquan is the most widely practised styles of Taijiquan and is also the most diverse in terms of subgroups and variations. Founded by Yang Luchan after learning the original style of Chen Taiji in Chen village Luchan formed his own style. There is much debate as to how long or even how much Luchan learned in Chen village and in fact Yang Taijiquan was the first Taijiquan style to be referred to with the term Taijiquan. The term Taijiquan being adopted by the Chen School much later in history prior to this it was generally referred to Pao Chui or cannon fist.

Ninety percent of Yang style today is known as the Public Yang style which was first introduced by 3rd Generation Yang Family member Yang Cheng fu. The reason for the Public titles is that it was taught openly to the general public, this is not to say that Public Yang style is inadequate in any way as a martial art it is just a way of. Most of the Yang Styles today are decedent from the Public Yang system. The Michuan or hidden Yang system on the other hand was originally only taught to a select few each generation and was never taught publically. It was not until 4th generation master Wang Yein nein decided that he would open teach the system openly to prevent it from being lost that the once secret Michuan system was publically taught. The main differences between the two schools is that the Michuan System primarily uses a rear weighted stance and as it was originally intended not to be publically shown the martial applications are much clearer and more obvious than in its younger counterpart.

The Yangjia Michuan Taijiquan System

The Yanjia Michuan Taijiquan system is a fully comprehensive system which can be broken down into two core components empty hand and filled hand.

Empty hand

The Empty hand form consists of 128 movements divided into three sections. The empty hand form consists of sticking, kicking, grappling, throwing and joint locking techniques. Martial applications are of crucial importance to the style and students are taught how to apply the movements of the form in a variety of martial situations, these are further enhanced during tuishou (push ands) and sanshou (free fighting) exercises.

Tuishou

Tuishou is the beginning of two person practice in Taijiquan. Its practice develops sensitivity, yielding, neutralizing, and internal strength, using body mechanics developed in the form. Tuishou gives the student a venue for training these skills and practicing Taijiquan basic movements without the danger of a free sparring or swordplay setting.

New students will first learn to yield to pushes instead of resisting or bracing. From there, students learn to neutralize and return pushes using Taijiquan methods of releasing energy. Push hands play ranges from simple; single-hand fixed position exercises to more complex two-hand moving-step push hands.

Sanshou

Sanshou training takes the skills learned in push hands and marries them with the martial applications contained in the empty hand form. Students train to remain calm and yielding while facing all types of strikes, kicks, and throws. Strength training and proper release of energy technique build endurance and mental conditioning. The focus of sanshou is building realistic and practical self defence skills that can be utilized in a real situation.

Filled hands

The primary weapons used in the Michuan system are the Jian or straight sword and the Qiang or long spear/pike at advanced levels. Students are introduced to the five basic elements of Chinese swordsmanship; basic cuts, paired drills, form (the yanjia michuan Taiji jian form), test cutting and free play. This gives the student a balanced well rounded level of skill giving them an understanding of sword play and how to apply the movements of the form in real sword combat.

The spear used ranges from 3 to 4 meters in length and has a shaft that tapers towards the head of the spear. While the form itself is the shortest in the system it is the most physically demanding both due to the weight of the weapon and the fact that the spear form is done at full speed unlike the empty hand and sword forms. Any mistakes in body mechanics are made obvious in the performance of the spear form. There are also basic cuts for the use of the spear and specific movements foe the use of shorter spears that are not included in the form (the spear form is meant to be performed with a long spear, some staff/short spear movements cannot be used because of the length of the weapon).